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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

I promised myself I wouldn't start an 'is this it?' thread but...

91 replies

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 10:14

...this is DC1 and it all feels different from what I expected so sod it, I'm ending up asking!

I've been in annoying 'pre-labour' for a week or so know, which is probably why I am a bit wary with what is going on now - basically have been having period pain cramps and lots of BH since last weekend, when I had a sweep on Thurs (40+2) I was fully effaced and 2cm dilated. Then had my show over this weekend and stronger period pains, but they were sort of background consistent, so definitely not contractions.

This morning I have been having what I guess must be contractions for the past 2 hours or so, lasting 40-60 secs and happening around every 10 mins. I say 'guess' they are contractions because they feel internal, radiating from back to front, and feel nothing like BH!

Mw is probably coming over this afternoon as she was due for a sweep anyway, when I spoke to her this morning after only about an hour or so of cx she said it sounded 'hopeful' and will call back later, so I'm not too concerned about calling the hospital yet.

But does this sound possible? As I said, after all the stop-starting for the past week I'm scared of getting my hopes up too much in case it stops!

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PreggoEggo · 23/01/2012 10:27

oh sounds promising! labour feels different for everyone, so i cant say, and i cant even remember what my other two felt like! I know my last one I just had really painful pains that felt like they were in my cervix, it sounds weird but i could actually feel my cervix opening up. Hope your mw gives you some positive news!! the fact that your contractions seem to be following a pattern is a good sign! look forward to hearing your good news :)

TinkerMaloo · 23/01/2012 10:52

sounds like it to me! walk around or do stuff rather than relax as that can keep things going :)

StarlightMcKenzie · 23/01/2012 10:58

You wanna keep it going? Shut the curtains, turn off the lights, do things and think about things that make you go 'Mmmmmmmmm' like sliding between clean sheets, eating cake, having your hair washed etc etc.

If you have access to one, sit on the loo (it opens your pelvis) and read an erotic novel.

Eat dates (they containg oxytocin - the hormone of love)

Ocassionally walk up and down the stairs sideways.

If you're body has done so much work already I'd say you were in for an easy peasy labour. But don't let the MW break your waters.

Original poster

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 11:02

Why shouldn't I let the mw break my waters?! I really felt like I knew what this would be like, but now its here... I can't even decide whether to get DP to come home from work or not! He is a good hour, hour and fifteen away so I probably should, but then I don't want to take up a day of his 1w paternity leave just watching me going "owww..." at home.

Still, it has been 3 hours now so maybe it isn't just one big tease...

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mummynoseynora · 23/01/2012 11:05

ask him to come home at lunchtime if its still going and maybe starting to get more often / longer etc ? good luck!

StarlightMcKenzie · 23/01/2012 11:06

I wouldn't bother getting your dp home yet tbh. Every 10 minutes is too long a gap but give him a call at lunch time to warn him as he might be able to get off work a bit early without 'losing' a day iyswim.

Where are you planning to have the baby?

StarlightMcKenzie · 23/01/2012 11:07

When you can't type here any more, that is the time to get him home

Original poster

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 11:12

starlight - that sounds about right! Maybe I'm just being lazy and want him home so he can go to the shop, get some food in for after (sod's law we need to do a big shop) and then do the washing up! But I suppose the washing up will keep me active so I should do it myself...

I guess I'll wait and see if the mw will pop over this afternoon and have a look and see if I am happily dilating. We're having the baby at the local hospital but the ever-so-slight inconvenience is that neither me or DP drive so we have to get a taxi to the hospital, I'm not tight but its about £15 each way so I would rather wait for just the one journey later this afternoon...

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StarlightMcKenzie · 23/01/2012 11:24

On average it takes around 12-14 hours of active labour to have the baby. If you look at the clock now, you'll see that he/she will 'probably' be here before midnight so nest and conserve your energy and keep doing the 'Mmmm' things which will speed it up.

Breaking your waters will also speed it up as the head suddenly drops down with no cushion and bang bang bangs on your cervix. The problem is that this can sometimes a)make the pain unmanagable and ramp up faster before you're body has got used to it and b)not having waters makes it more difficult for your baby to move into an optimal position for the second stage.

Original poster

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 12:24

Thanks starlight, that makes sense. I shall get on the gym ball instead

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LoveInAColdClimate · 23/01/2012 12:35

Oh, how exciting! God luck!

morethemerrier · 23/01/2012 13:10

I'm with Starlight, you need to conserve your energy! I would try and get some rest after the midwife has been and you know where your at and can form a plan (well a rough plan-when to get DH home-go to hosp etc)!

Also, refer to your birth plan what did you want to be doing in early labour, sometimes the excitement of when it finally kicks off catches you off guard and you spend far too long running round like a headless chicken instead of relaxing into it!

Sounds like it is the real thing, and resting won't stop it but will help you later on, bouncing on your ball is good!

Make sure when you speak to the hospital when deciding to go in they know you will be coming via taxi,just to allow for having to call one first etc.

Good luck,update if you get chance, Mnetters like nothing better than a labour thread!!!!

LoveInAColdClimate · 23/01/2012 13:15

Hmmm, I think I meant "good luck"...

Not long until you meet your baby!

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 23/01/2012 13:16

Bella - how exciting :)

Portofino · 23/01/2012 13:18

Oooh - good luck!

randommoment · 23/01/2012 13:20

All the best - so exciting! Do you know if you're getting a boy or a girl?

dutchyoriginal · 23/01/2012 13:21

Good luck!

Original poster

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 13:22

Thanks all! Mw is not coming around now but purely because this has been going on for 5 1/2 hrs and my contractions are every 8 mins or so now, so she's confident it sounds like early labour. Bit annoyed as I would have loved to have known how dilated I am but I see her point, they can't just come and do home visits for everyone!

The one bit that keeps entertaining me is people (i.e. mw) asking "how painful are they?" - I don't know, I have nothing to compare this to! All I know is that I'm not lying on the floor crying with every cx yet...

Right, off for a (very slow) walk to buy some lunch...

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Original poster

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 13:23

randommoment - we're having a girl

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CailinDana · 23/01/2012 13:24

Oh goodness how exciting!! Good luck! It sounds a lot like my labour - I was in pre-labour for weeks and kept thinking "this is it" but on the day I actually gave birth it was completely different, and I had a strong inkling it was all happening. I started with the mild contractions at about 11am and had DS at 3:30am the following morning, so it took a while but the really bad contractions lasted only about 6 hours which was manageable - I just had gas and air.

I just pretended like nothing was happening - I read a book, watched tv, sorted out some baby clothes, anything to take my mind off it.

Hope it all goes really well for you :)

RightUpMyRue · 23/01/2012 13:26

Get on your ball and do an online shop whilst you bounce.

Good luck

Tanyaaah · 23/01/2012 13:33

Get some rest! I did everything I could to get things going, then ended up getting 3 hours sleep over 3 days. Wished I had gone back to bed while I could.
Good luck though!

Original poster

BellaCB · 23/01/2012 14:24

Anyone who has done this before, what's more important in terms of calling the hospital - contractions strength or regularity? Mine are getting near every 5 mins but so far I'm not in the agony I expected, so I'm not sure...

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CailinDana · 23/01/2012 14:27

Usually when you call the hospital they'll keep you on the phone long enough to have a contraction while you're talking. If you have to stop talking during the contraction or you make noises while you're contracting, they'll tell you to come in and get checked. If you're able to keep chatting then they'll tell you you're not in enough pain yet. However, if you feel you should go in, you're quite entitled to do that and for the most part they'll let you come in to ease your mind. Remember not everyone is in agony with labour. I would advise you to stay at home for as long as possible as going into hospital only to be sent home again can be a huge downer (it happened to me).

StarlightMcKenzie · 23/01/2012 14:32

Try and go in as late as possible. Once you get there you're put on a timer and things have to happen by a certain time or else you have to have a big row about why not which is difficult to do in labour.

I'd say you're speeding up, from what you have said but tbh I still wouldn't go anywhere near the hospital.

Any chance that midwife can change her mind and come to your house?

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